Chapter 99

### Night, in the private chambers of the palace.

I sat cross-legged on the bed, palm up, and extended my right hand to about the height of my navel.

I concentrated my magic there.

Using the power of Apophis, I transformed the concentrated magic.

"Your Majesty."

Suddenly, a voice called out to me from the side.

I looked up to see Audrey, accompanied by several servants.

Even in the harem, which is like a private residence, the empress always walks with many eunuchs and servants.

This is partly to ensure the empress is not inconvenienced, partly to protect her in case of danger, and partly for a sense of grandeur.

These reasons overlap, and the empress is always accompanied by a grand entourage.

Incidentally, the emperor is similar, but in the "Warrior Nation" of the empire, the active emperor often acts alone or in disguise to demonstrate his power.

Audrey waved her hand lightly.

The servants bowed deeply and all left the room.

Audrey climbed onto the bed and leaned against me.

"What are you doing, Your Majesty?"

"I was making a potion."

"A potion... the one you gave Jessica?"

"Yes."

"Wasn't that something you invented, Your Majesty? Oh?"

Audrey tilted her head in confusion.

"What is it?"

"I know you invented it, but why are you making it again? I heard they are mass-produced in Almeria."

"That's a good question. I'm not satisfied with the current potion."

"Not satisfied?"

I nodded slightly.

"The current one can only heal minor injuries. It's not effective enough for the battlefield. I'm developing a more powerful one."

"I see. Is that possible?"

"It's already done."

"Already?"

I picked up a small bottle from the bedside table and handed it to Audrey.

"This is the new one. I named it 'High Potion' for simplicity."

"High Potion..."

"Watch."

I drew the magic sword Leviathan from my armband.

In the night chamber, the beautifully glowing blue light of the magic sword's tip pierced my palm—piercing through it.

"Your Majesty!?"

"Quiet."

I sheathed Leviathan and returned it to my armband.

I then poured the High Potion over the pierced palm.

Immediately, the wound closed and completely disappeared.

"It's like this."

"Wow..."

"With this, wounds will close instantly... but..."

"But?"

"If there's a body part missing—like a finger being torn off or an arm being cut off. In such cases, it only seals the wound."

"...The arm would still be missing, right?"

"That's right. Still, it's more effective than a regular potion, so it's useful."

"Amazing, Your Majesty."

"Hmm?"

I looked at Audrey.

Audrey was looking at me with sparkling, admiring eyes, like a young girl.

"To be able to create something so amazing..."

"It's an extension of potions. It's not perfect yet, and sometimes it turns into something completely different when I try to make it."

"Still, it's amazing. For centuries, healing magic and potions only existed in ancient legends. Not only did you revive them, but you also improved them."

"Hmm."

"I feel like I'm witnessing a moment that will change history. Amazing, Your Majesty!"

She looked at me with the same adoration as a village girl meeting a famous bard.

When someone looks at you like that, it's hard not to feel good.

"Ah."

"What is it?"

"Um... Your Majesty. There's something I want to ask you..."

Audrey moved away slightly, fidgeting and looking embarrassed.

"What is it? Do you want something? Are you planning to build a new palace?"

"No, it's not that. I... I want you to give the High Potion to Jessica."

I was a bit surprised.

Audrey's request was completely unexpected.

"To Jessica?"

"Yes, I think she needs it the most right now."

"You care about her?"

"As women serving the same emperor, I would be happy if she could be like a 'sister' to me."

"I see."

"Besides, if you give her a trial, she must be important."

"Is it that rare for me to give trials?"

I chuckled and said jokingly.

"Yes, very rare."

Audrey chuckled in the same way and said firmly.

"Your Majesty usually does everything yourself."

As she said this, she reached out and touched my hand.

The High Potion had closed the wound, but the blood, thinned by the liquid, remained.

She scooped up the blood with her fingertips and showed it to me.

"You often put yourself in danger and endure pain. It's rare for you to go out of your way to give someone a trial."

"I see."

Audrey might be right.

"So, give the High Potion to Jessica."

"I understand. That's not a problem. I've already arranged for it to be delivered."

"Really?"

"I had the first batch delivered immediately. However, to ensure it didn't fall into her hands directly, I had someone else carry it and stay nearby."

"Why did you do that?"

"What do you think about me developing the High Potion after the regular potion?"

Audrey was taken aback by the question but still thought about it and answered.

"It's amazing and fast."

"That's it. If Jessica thinks the same way, it could lead to complacency. One, she might think that minor injuries are fine because of the High Potion. Two, she might think that something even better will come out soon."

"Oh..."

"To prevent her from becoming complacent, I want to support her from the shadows."

"I see... As expected, Your Majesty. You think so deeply."

Audrey's eyes sparkled even more as she looked at me.

☆

The next day, in the study of the palace.

In front of me was the First Minister, Jean-Blade Raidoak.

Jean knelt on one knee and bowed deeply with a very practiced movement.

"Relax. How's the investigation going?"

"Yes, as per Your Majesty's orders, I secretly investigated whether there are any regenerative ley lines in various regions."

"Good."

"The Geraha Desert has the highest potential."

"Geraha Desert... in Saraluria."

Saraluria Province.

The largest province in the southeast of the empire.

It is the largest in area because it is a border region, has little industry, and a small population, and more than half of its area is desert.

"Saraluria... it was the fief of the Count of Gerth, right?"

"Yes. Since it's a land with little 'profit' for the empire, it was assigned to one of the counts."

"Give Gerth another land. In exchange, make Saraluria an imperial territory."

"Understood... Your Majesty."

"Hmm?"

"Why are you doing this? Wouldn't the ley lines in Almeria be enough...?"

Jean asked carefully, choosing his words.

I had anticipated this question.

I took out a small bottle and dripped a drop of its liquid into the lantern on my desk.

The lantern began to glow.

It wasn't a flame, but a brighter, whiter light, closer to daylight.

"Th-this!?"

Jean was surprised and focused on the lantern.

"It's a... well, a failed potion."

"Failed potion?"

"When I try to make a potion with my power, sometimes something completely unexpected is created."

I had mentioned this briefly to Audrey yesterday, but she hadn't shown much interest.

"One of those is this. It starts glowing after being exposed to air for a while."

"Exposed to air..."

"It lasts a whole night with just one drop."

"What!?"

Jean was even more astonished and stared at the lantern.

"Ley lines produce magic, which can create potions. But by changing the direction of that power, other things can be created. I feel there are infinite possibilities."

"I see. That's why you want the ley lines..."

"Yes, to make Saraluria an imperial territory."

"..."

After staring at the lantern for a while, Jean took a deep breath, put the lantern down, and straightened up.

"To create something like this... as expected, Your Majesty."

After saying this, Jean's face returned to a serious, professional expression befitting the First Minister.

"I will expedite the matter in Saraluria and the restoration of the ley lines."

"Yes, it will also serve as a test for the future. Use as much budget as needed."

"Understood."

Jean bowed and left the study.

The droplets of magic produced by ley lines have the potential to greatly change human life.

I was secretly convinced of this.